Category Archives: Arts & Entertainment

Dr. Sue Travel New Orleans & NYC Positive Entertainment

Like a rich gumbo (New Orleans ) or Manhattan clam chowder (New York), big cities can be spiced for every palate: from fantasy wild to family mild. There’s no way to summarize their delights in one blog, but here’s a taster’s menu. Red Fish Grill: “Friends don’t let friends eat frozen fish” is the motto of this Bourbon Street restaurant, which serves only fresh-caught fish in an ambiance of artworks by local artist Luis Colmenares. Here I am displaying my catch: a metal sculpture of a fish by Colmenares. (By the way the meal was much tastier – and easier to cut!) Wear and Buy a Mask – or admire one in a Mardi Gras parade, shop, or museum. The carnival season lasts from January 6 (or “Twelfth Night”) through Mardi Gras (translated from the French as “Fat Tuesday.” Mardi is traditionally the last day of feasting before Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent). A variety of krewes (clubs) create and ride on themed floats, fling “throws” (beads and trinkets) at the crowds lining the parade route, wear costumes, and/or sponsor balls all season long. Even out of season, you can catch the flavor at Mardi Gras World! It’s a unique museum/warehouse/studio – with a fabulous book/gift shop! Artists design the sculpted decorations for the next festival season. They also provide decorations for casinos and theme parks all over the world!

Explore the French Quarter . You’ll find everything from street musicians to strip joints. Some of Bourbon Street is on the seamy side, but other parts of the Le Vieux Quartier (The Old Quarter) offer courtyards with splashing fountains and hundred-year-old houses that suggest New Orleans green, purple and gold theme colors in muted, vintage hues. You can pump up the volume at jazz clubs (the spirit of Louis Armstrong and other jazz greats lives on!) grab a chicory coffee and a beignet (doughnut) at Cafe Beignet; ride a river boat right out of Kern/Hammerstein’s musical “Showboat”); board a trolley (think “A Streetcar Named Desire” – Tennessee Williams’ classic play set in New Orleans); or catch an outdoor tumbling act with multi-ethnic audience participation and equal opportunity ribbing. What to Eat: New Orleans is famous for its cuisine. Here are a few favorites: Marriott Marquis Downtownn – this unexpected gem is tucked away near the Convention Center in Warehouse District, an up-and-coming neighborhood of art galleries and museums. Marriott jazzes up its menu with local cuisine (gumbo, jambalaya), and the health-conscious traveler can keep it light with fish and salads. My favorites were the bouillabaisse (fish stew) and wintergreen salad with blackberries. One rainy afternoon, the lobby featured an “action station” where chefs put their twist on hot buttered shrimp over grits with a cocktail called a “blonde hurricane”! New Orleans in New York City! Sue “Dr. Sue” Horowitz (Vocalist) & Rick Bogart (Clarinet/Musical Director) Perform Jazz Standards, Romantic Songs & Funny Parodies Broadway Thai Restaurant 241 West 51^st Street (btwn Broadway-8^th Ave) NYC Saturday/Sunday Nights (212) 226-4565, No Cover. Rick is from New Orleans, so enjoy a taste of Dixie in NYC! A Bientot (See you soon)! Creative Living: Visit New Orleans – or live a your own version of its life style by eating fabulous food and celebrating your culture and heritage! Festivate! – it’s a fantasy word – but just like wearing a mask, sometimes it’s fun to play with fantasy. (You can always remove the mask, ditch the glitter, and return – refreshed – to the daily grind – especially if it’s New Orleans chicory coffee!) (Photos by Jay Berman)

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, and more!) www.smashwords.com/books/view/219367 Musical: “SssWitch”: www.ssswitch.net www.YouTube.com/drsuecomedian https://www.youtube.com/feed/my_videos

Dr. Sue Duke Ellington Gala Positive Entertainment

The annual Ellington Center Gala was, as ever, elegant, swinging fun! Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of the legendary Duke, directed, staged and welcomed us to an evening of singing, dancing, and musicianship – mostly to music by the Duke, with proceeds benefitting the Ellington Scholarship Fund and Programs www.thedukellingtoncenter.org Frank Owens on piano and the Ellington Center Band led off with “Take the A Train.” Our MC, Adrienne Hahn in top hat, tails, and hot pants (over skyscraper legs) strutted down the steps of the magnificent Landmark on the Park and sang. When she perched on the lap of Ervin Drake, ultra-dapper, nonagenarian songwriter (“I Believe” “Good Morning Heartache’), and musically invited him to “Come Fly Away.” I thought he just might!

Duke Ellington Gala 2012

The Pitch Blak Bass Band, winner of the first annual Bob Stewart Tuba competition, gave us a sample of a big, brass sound. Then we enjoyed the vocal stylings of T. Oliver Reid, Marion Cowings, and Antoinette Montague. Swing dancers Mickey Davidson and Jun Maruda showed us how to jitterbug and jump for joy! Then, quintessentially graceful Michael Choi and Anna Truhkan (in tuxedo and burgundy velvet) lifted us on wings of choreographed ballroom dance. After a brief intermission, we sat down to a sumptuous buffet (Spoonbread Catering). The second half of the program featured the song “My Son” an excerpt from the musical “YES!” by Earl Wilson, Jr. (vocals by T. Oliver Reid and Erick Pinnick, with Eugene Gwozdz on piano). Board Member Larry Kerchner and Dennis Chicinno performed “Down at Mama Jones.” Last, but certainly not least, came a showcase of tap dancers, Broadway and opera singers, and, well, me – singing my original, multicultural, holiday song “Happy Hanukrismas” What a thrill – laughter, applause, a request for lyrics, and a man who told me the song brought tears to his eyes! Like Earl Wilson, Jr. I said “YES” to “Come Fly with Me” – I was flying! Happiness/Success Habits

Do what you love, live your passion, and seize your opportunity! I love writing and singing songs and the Ellington holiday gala was the perfect venue for “Happy Hanukrismas.” Were there obstacles? Of course. I had barely finished writing the song that afternoon when I tucked it into my purse (just in case I got a chance to sing it), and there was no chance to rehearse. But I knew the supremely gifted Frank Owens could play by ear and chords (even with my mistakes). When Mercedes pointed at me, and said “You go first” I trusted her instinct and went for it!
Love and enjoy the arts – any way you can – as a creator, performer and/or appreciator and supporter! The arts give life beauty, meaning, and joy! Find a way to be part of that – give yourself that gift.
Give back and support arts and education. The Ellington Scholarship Fund and Programs supports developing talent and educational programs. Keep Duke’s legacy alive! Please visit www.thedukellingtoncenter.org

(Editor:/Photographer Jay Berman)

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.

Dr. Sue Broadway Henry Krieger (Dream Girls) Positive Entertainment

Henry Krieger

Broadway Close Up, a series that mixes show tunes and show talk, hit a high note as host Sean Hartley interviewed Henry Krieger, multiple Tony-Award winning composer of Dreamgirls, The Tap Dance Kid , and Side Show. Krieger’s talent was amply illustrated by a brilliant, soulful cast, superbly supported by talented musical director Andy Einhorn. The chat included bite-sized, bio-tidbits: Krieger first collaborated with Dreamgirls lyricist Tom Eyen on The Dirtiest Show in Town off-Broadway, where singer Nell Carter (Ain’t Misbehavin’) stopped the show, Eyen and mercurial director Michael Bennett (fresh from Chorus Line) regularly gave each other nervous breakdowns; and yes, Dreamgirls did have something to do with the Supremes. The conversation/concert format neatly segued into medley of Krieger tunes sung by Broadway larks and lyricists. The musical cast showcased the abundantly talented Moya Angela, Jill Abramovitz, Lilli Cooper, Erin Davie, Trevon Davis, Brandon Victor Dixon, Curt Hansen, Jeremiah Jones, Jared Joseph, Emily Jenda, Lindsay Mendez, Jarran Muse, Mary Testa, and David Yazbek . The evening finished with Krieger singing his own stirring version of Jennifer Holliday’s show-stopping “And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls, proving that soulful singing is not just high-voltage vocal chops. Coming up next on Broadway Close Up: Producers Andre Bishop & Ira Weitzman – Playwrights Horizons/Lincoln Center (Monday, November 5); Lyricists Who Changed the World – Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg & Lorenz Hart (Monday, December 3). All programs feature great singers and songsters, who will also be warbling at New York Festival of Song December 4, February 19, and March 12. All events are held at the Kaufman Center, Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th Street, NYC. For Details and Tickets, visit http://kaufman-center.org/mch (Editor: Jay Berman)

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, and more!) www.smashwords.com/books/view/219367 Musical: “SssWitch”: www.ssswitch.net www.YouTube.com/drsuecomedian https://www.youtube.com/feed/my_videos

Dr. Sue Book Expo: Barbra Streisand, Gayle King Positive Entertainment

Gayle King & Dr. Sue

BookExpo America at the Javits Center is an annual conference of book – and celeb power! Here I am chatting with Gayle King right after she interviewed keynote speaker Barbra Streisand about her new book My Passion for Design.

As you can see, Ms. King is dressed in tactful off-white. After her close reading of Ms. S’s text and taste, Ms. King changed her wardrobe (three times) and repainted her toenails! (La Streisand hates hot yellows!) “Too bad,” laughed King, “We could be homies!” Making nice, Streisand allowed that she does like “butter yellow – creamy yellow.”

One of Streisand’s fav colors (revealed in her book) is burgundy – maybe because as an anemic child, she was sent to a health camp where she wore a standard blue uniform. The only individuality she was allowed was a sweater of burgundy wool.

Barbra Streisand

Ms. S also adores pink – like the hand-knit wool sweater over a hot water bottle that little Barbra used as a doll substitute. “I don’t regret being poor,” says Streisand. “We couldn’t afford dolls, so I learned to use my imagination.”

That imagination, belief in her own potential, talent, and meticulous taste has taken Barbra from Brooklyn poverty (where an “ugly” couch was a beloved luxury) to a world of historic homes and Tiffany lamps.

As Streisand and King wondered about the secret of Tiffany’s deep ruby reds, I suddenly realized that I knew it. I had just picked up this tidbit of information from a dancing partner – Dennis Lynch, stained glass expert/collector/designer/restorer:A Stained Glass”.

Tiffany used to drop a twenty dollar gold piece into the red glass when it was liquid. You can see this effect in Tiffany lamps and some stained glass windows- often in old churches. This golden secret is known only to stained glass connoisseurs. The effect is exquisite!

Streisand fills her own homes and jewelry boxes with treasures – that she may only occasionally use or wear. She loves antiquing – “the fun is in the hunt.” Also, unlike many celebrities, she doesn’t enshrine her numerous awards in glass cases – in fact, they’re stored in hard-to-find rooms off the main living areas. Why? “I think it’s egotistical to display them to your guests” shrugs Streisand. “Besides, I like to look forward and out – not back.” Looking out, Streisand plants (and replants) her gardens in colors that extend the hues of her interior designs.

This same fastidious attention to detail shaped the perfection of her song recordings – which Streisand no longer listens to. Nor does she have a favorite song. When Ms. King asked her to pick one, Streisand said, “Don’t ask me that! That’s like asking me to pick a favorite child. I don’t want to offend the songs.”

Streisand’s musical artistry is beyond question – plus, of course, her talents as an actress and director. Now it seems, she is also a gifted photographer (she took all the photos of her gorgeous homes for her book, selected and revised architectural designs, and supervised construction (“My voice got hoarse, shouting over the machines”) .

Flowing through Streisand’s design sense is a theme – the tension of opposites – masculine vs. feminine. She’ll throw a crushed velvet fabric (feminine) over an oak wooden frame (masculine).

So where does Streisand stand in this yin-yang push-pull rhythm of the sexes – and gender stereotypes? She has, after all, been accused of being a demanding control-freak – and she does admire an architect who demanded revision when a construction was 1/16th of an inch off. (Streisand barely tolerates a misplaced inch on a distant ceiling beam and visibly winced at Gayle’s question “Who would know?” Barbra, it was clear – would.)

Streisand sweeps back her long hair with an elegant feminine gesture, and said, “I strive for excellence.” When a man does it, we say he’s assertive; a woman does the same thing – she’s pushy. A man is a perfectionist – a woman is a pain in the a**!”

Does this perfectionism extend to the decorating taste of husband James Brolin? Streisand shakes her head, “I honor his vision – though I do wish he would cover his television set – I can see it when I exercise…maybe a nice mahogany cabinet….”

Happiness/Success Habits:

Use your imagination, believe in your potential! A hot water bottle can be a doll. A poor, fatherless girl without conventional prettiness can become, as Streisand sang in Funny Girl – “the biggest star! ” By the way, Funny Girl was based on the life of Fanny Brice, another poor ethnic girl who developed exquisite taste.
Surround yourself with beauty – even if you can’t afford Streisand’s magnificent homes, you can bring home flowers and have fun coordinating colors – including the color of your eyes. Notice how Streisand’s silvery blue couch and wrap compliments her eyes.
Bring life – animal or plants into your your own life and home. Notice Streisand’s dog in the book jacket photo and her love for flowers.

Have a passion for excellence – but allow for the “imperfections” of life – the bumps in the handwoven fabric, the partner who loves big televisions when you hate them, the unusual, interestingly shaped nose – that colors Streisand’s unique vocal tones…

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue Theatre Museum Positive Entertainment

Theatre Museum

Theatre Musem Panel on Broadway Theatre: Dr. Sue Horowitz with Tony-Award Winners

Stewart F. Lane: Broadway & Film Producer (4-Time Tony Award Winner) Joe Franklin: TV/Radio Personality (Author of 23 Books) Charles Strouse:Composer (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, 3-Time Tony Award-Winner) The Theatre Museum Annual Awards Event at the historic, elegant Players Club in Manhattan is a gala, festive event that honors live theatre! Attendees include Stewart F. Lane, Executive Director and multiple Tony-Award winning Producer, Helen Marie Guditis, President of the Board of Trustees, and a brilliant bevy of Broadway stars, composers, producers, play publishers etc. The Theatre Museum (dedicated to preserving and celebrating our American Theatre heritage) sponsors museum exhibitions like “Showboat Round the Bend” and “Brooklyn Sees Stars” and arts education at the Village Academy in Harlem’s after school enrichment program. My personal connection began when I was invited to appear on a panel about ethnic contributions to Broadway Theatre with luminaries like Stewart F. Lane, Joe Franklin, and Charles Strause – and I’ve been a fan ever since. The Annual Awards Ceremony combines awards, live performances, and a cocktail party. Chief awards recipients include the Sherman Brothers (Robert and Richard) – a songwriting team with five decade career, two Academy Awards (for Mary Poppins -score and “Chim Chim Cher-ee” -song), the worlds’ most translated and performed song (“It’s a Small World After All”), a ten year tenure as staff writers with Walt Disney, two current hit shows (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mary Poppins) plus the National Medal of Arts. Whew! When Richard, a dapper, erect, self-proclaimed octogenarian sits down at the piano to play and sing, he clearly knows knows a thing or two (or rather, eighty ) about both songwriting and staying young and vibrant. Thomas Schumacher, producer, Disney Theatrical Productions (The Lion King, Aida, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid) presented the award to the Sherman brothers and commented that their song “Feed the Birds” (exquisitely sung by Sarah Rice -Broadway/Opera/Grammy singer) was Walt Disney’s favorite song. Other award recipients include Samuel French Publishers (founded in 1830) – whose books and stores feature plays, musicals, translations, songs, etc. (award presented by Tappan Wilder, nephew of Thornton Wilder); and the Mint Theatre (Obie and Drama Desk Award winner),who present neglected but worthwhile plays from the past ( award presented by Actor George Morfogen). Interspersed with the award presentations (mc’d by Master of Ceremonies Tony Bolton) – like spotlit cameos- were performances from the Sherman songbook by Broadway stars. Tony-Award winner Jim Dale sang a duet from Busker Alley with sequined singing sensation Jessica Grove. There was a trio of trios: harmonizing children, an updated Andrews Sisters-esqe group called “United We Sing” and a glee-some threesome from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The songs were tuneful, hopeful, and innocent – family entertainment at its best – and a major part of what has revitalized Broadway. As I was nibbling on my post-ceremony strawberry dipped in chocolate, sipping champagne, and gazing at those Players Club portraits of theatrical greats, I think about how lucky I am to be even a tiny part of a this “small world” of live theatre!

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.